Dallas Cowboys Draft: 7 Different Safeties in 7 Different Rounds

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 28: Julian Blackmon #DB36 of the Utah Utes speaks to the media on day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Julian Blackmon, Utah

Round Grade: Late 4th

Value: Correct Value

Utah has two safeties in this draft and both are interesting players. Blackmon fits the athletic profile and build of a safety in the NFL while Terrell Burgess has the instincts and ball skills without the ideal profile. That said, Blackmon was still a decent playmaker in his time in Utah.

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Blackmon has totaled 9 interceptions in his college career, but four were caught in his last season where he started at safety. The former corner was the starting safety for the Utes with mixed results. His soft hands resulted in some ball production but his ball tracking and reaction time were a bit slow. This would get exposed when Utah elected to go with a single-high look; they do this a lot.

In the Cowboys defense, the expectation of a quarters look is starting to come to fruition which could bode well for Blackmon as he could play to his strengths. As a former cornerback, Blackmon can play man coverage at a high level. At the next level, he could line up as a deep safety but play man coverage against tight ends and running backs. In zone, he won’t have to cover that much area and he can slowly develop his ball tracking skills.

Blackmon is a good tackler who is more than comfortable playing near the line of scrimmage and playing as the last line of defense. Even if the Cowboys wouldn’t have an excellent zone cover safety they have a sure tackler who isn’t afraid to take a pounding.

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